Windows 7

One of my favorite things about Windows 7 is the introduction of the new Aero features. It is easy to learn to use these as gestures are natural for them and quickly begin using without hesitation. Nevertheless best of them is that they are really useful and really help increase the productivity of the operating system.

The reason I titled this post "How to enable and use Windows 7 Aero features" because it is the first time you install Windows 7 may not have the Aero features enabled.

It turns out that by default, Windows 7 is set automatically to adjust Windows Aero effects based on their experience index rating systems. If you have Windows 7 will have to run this by going to Control Panel -> System and Security -> System and make sure you have the drivers installed for your graphics card

Sometimes you can have only partial effects Aero. This may be because Windows cannot think your machine is powerful enough to run these effects without compromising performance.

If this happens to you, and you do not mind about a possible slight slowdown in performance that can force that can --

1.Go to Control Panel -> System and Security -> System

2.Click on Advanced system settings of the performance settings and then left.

3.In the Visual Effects tab you should see the option "Let Windows choose what's best for my computer" is enabled by default.

4.Below you should see a list of visual effects, some of which is controlled if you are not experiencing the full range of features Aero.

1. Select the Custom option and then select any effects from the list below it. Click Applied and OK and you should have all the Aero effects enabled.

Now, what are these Aero effects?
Aero Peek:

What we are givens a preview of windows on a thumbnail without having to open them, simply hovering over the icon in the taskbar. Click one and you will be taken to the window, the also works with tabs in Internet Explorer which is very useful but unfortunately does not work in Firefox or Chrome yet

You can also move the cursor to the lower right corner of the screen to preview your desktop, click and you will be taken to your desktop
Aero Shake:

If you have many open windows on your desktop and you just want to see one, click and hold your window and Shake it! All other windows minimized, simply shake the window again and all the other windows restored.
Aero Snap:

One of the most useful features I use in Windows 7, if you click and drag a window to the top of the screen automatically maximize it. If you have two windows open, and want to see them side-by-side. Click and drag one to the right edge of the screen and the other left. They both automatically resized to fit the screen
Aero Flip:

This effect Windows Vista Aero, but not in XP. Start by pressing the Windows key and the tab at the same time. It will give a 3D effect that will allow you to "flip" between different windows

Here is a video I did on a walk through the features of Aero